Posts from Shopping Resources

Here's an oldy but a goody that's even more relevant now as MORE people are doing it... I recently bought my first pair of "serious" jeans. The reason I know this is because as I was standing at the register about to pay A LOT of money for them, a cool dude who was standing next to me at the register said, "Oh, you're going to like those." "Do you have a pair?" I asked him. "Nope," he said, "But you're going to like those." I felt like a first time drug buyer or as if I was buying a Ferrari, not a pair of jeans. And then he said, "And remember, don't wash them."

For anyone who's ever scrounged around in their bag for a stray pen, this is for you. This strap can be wrapped around a journal, planner, or other book, and it's fitted with small loops for carrying pens, pencils, and other handy tools. Handmade using reclaimed rubber and elastic. From Cleverhands: "Some time ago I made a journal bandolier for myself. After the 8th person asked me where they could get one it occurred to me that I wasn't the only person sick of losing pens and breaking pencil points, or having inspiration hit only to find I had nothing to draw or write with!"

Strap is 2" wide. Loop is 5.75"L when flat. Fits easily around books that run a little over 5 inches wide. Each loop is approximately 1 inch wide. There are a total of 7 loops.

Here's a useful list for your summer outdoor parties. With LED bulb, battery-operated and solar-powered lights becoming more accessible and online retailers like Amazon and Lamps Plus stocking huge inventories, there are actually a ton of good options out there that you can order today and have this week. Enjoy.

The perfect stove for the camper or outdoorsman, this rocket stove is an economical but highly effective way to cook off-grid. It requires very little wood, retains heat exceptionally well, and produces minimal smoke. It also is part of a bigger mission: "StoveTec’s mission is to deliver clean and efficient cook stoves to the nearly 3 billion people that currently cook over an open fire or an unimproved cook stove. 1.6 million people, 85% of which are women and children, die every year from inhaling the smoke emitted by open fires or unimproved cook stoves."

Tempaper's removable, repositionable wallpapers are already in a renter's arsenal for jazzing up walls without running afoul of your landlord, but if you have a truly custom design in mind, they now offer an adhesive blank canvas that you (or your kids) can decorate with paint, pen, crayon, etc.: "For the artist in everyone. Let your imagination guide you when decorating your space with Tempaper by You. A temporary wall canvas for use with pens, pencils, markers, paint and crayons."

The calendar tells us it's almost summer, but by the thermostat summer is surely already underway. At the cusp of this new season, what deals do retailers have up their sleeves for us? what are the smart buys right now? Take a look at the best kinds of things to buy this month:

Sitting around last night all I could think about on these newly hot evenings was hammocks, so here you go: my complete list of all styles and sorts of hammocks to fill your dreamy days and nights.

This one up top is a new fave because of its blue and white contrasting design. This handwoven hammock by Yellow Leaf will hold 400 lbs or just cradle your 100 lbs gently. More at Yellow Leaf Hammocks, and more picks below...

Today I want to beat the drum again for something I'm very proud of and which has been quietly growing and building strength over the past few years. Our very own classified marketplace is stocked by our readers and contains NO CRAP. It's a really great source for unique and vintage pieces from sellers you can trust. There's a broad mix of readers, small shops and crazy randoms. You can find something beautiful and/or something useful in walking distance of your computer or miles away. Check it out!

Indoor/outdoor rugs have exploded in the past five years as makers have found beautiful ways to weave weatherproof materials into attractive, useful rugs. Now you can dress up your out of door spaces with color and pattern, as well as using these things in hard working indoor spaces like kitchens and hallways without worry.

One of my favorites are the bright modern designs of Brita of Sweden (above) which I use in my kitchen and hallway and LOVE. They are made of recycled plastic, which doesn't sound good, but are lovely, soft and warm underfoot. I totally recommend checking them out, along with my other top choices below...

It's now June, your final moment to build your ultimate summer dining room OR to finally get around to buying the table and chairs you've been planning on for years. It's ALSO a great time as much is on sale right now.

This list is sorted from most affordable to most aspirational. Most of the choices are for wood furniture, which I find the warmest, lowest maintenance and most attractive over time. My top pick? You will find it below...